I am currently reading these four novellas in this new annotated volume, which is a revelation and highly recommended. Below is my basic review of theI am currently reading these four novellas in this new annotated volume, which is a revelation and highly recommended. Below is my basic review of these four novella-length stories.

A Study in Scarlet, is actually two stories woven into one. In the first, Holmes and Watson meet for the first time, and one of the greatest working relationships in all of fiction begins. Watson recounts a case of murder where a body was found in a slum in Brixton, with the word "RACHE" carved above the body. The second story takes place in America, in a Mormon community, and features an appearance by Brigham Young. In the final pages, the connection between the two stories is finally revealed.

The Sign of Four is many people's favorite Sherlock Holmes story, and with good reason. Even though it is the shortest of the four, its plot is one of the most complex. It involves a pact among four escaped convicts, military service in India, a cruel husband, and a stolen treasure. It is also the first time that Holme's drug use comes into play.

The Hound of the Baskervilles is one of Conan Doyle's best-known stories, partly for its spooky setting on the moors, partly for the unearthly howling hound, but mostly for the interaction among the finely drawn characters: a rich man in love with the sister of a naturalist, a doctor, the servants, a dangerous killer, and, of course, Watson and Holmes. For much of this story, Watson carries the day as the protector of Henry Baskerville, the only remaining heir to the Baskerville name and fortune.

In the final novel, The Valley of Fear, once again a series of adventures take place in America. The protagonists are based upon a real group, the Molly Maguires, a group of militant union organizers in the coal fields of Pennsylvania. There is the death of one man, who is falsely assumed to be someone else. The second man's story takes up most of the second half of the tale.

I broke down and bought all three volumes in this series after reading what other Goodreads reviewers had to say about them. It is going to be awhileI broke down and bought all three volumes in this series after reading what other Goodreads reviewers had to say about them. It is going to be awhile before I finish the three, because each story contains some of the most interesting and useful footnotes ever appended to a piece of literature, along with illustrations not just from The Strand magazine, but from other sources as well. They also showcase various locations around London where the story takes place, along with drawings of other characters.

As if that is not enough, John Le Carre wrote the introduction, which introduces to the reader to the idea that Holmes and Watson are referred in the notes throughout as real persons. Instead of coming across as a ridiculous fancy, this makes sense. Truly, Holmes and Watson were Conan Doyle's contemporaries in every sense of the word.

These books will be the joy of any Sherlockian bibliophile. They are thoughtfully laid out with care so that the massive amount of supporting information beautifully supplements the stories. It is possible to read the stories without being distracted by the footnotes, which are printed in a soft red in the left-hand column of each two column page, so that the eye moves sideways easily from the footnote number to the note itself. The typeface is pleasing, and the paper upon which the pages are printed is of very high quality and soothing to the touch. These are books which will be passed down and cherished for generations to come....more